New York, January 21, 2026, 18:21 EST — After the close.
- GE shares surged about 2% in late after-hours trading after closing stronger earlier.
- Jet-engine maker will release its quarterly earnings on Thursday, with a webcast set for 7:30 a.m. EST.
- Airlines still grapple with supply-chain snarls and maintenance delays, as investors focus sharply on what 2026 might bring.
GE Aerospace shares rose about 2%, reaching $318.50 in late after-hours trading Wednesday. Earlier in the session, the stock swung between $311.80 and $320.27.
The move arrives a day before the jet-engine maker’s earnings report, with investors eager for insight on engine service demand and ongoing supply chain issues. The stock has become a rapid barometer for commercial aviation’s health and how effectively aerospace suppliers are turning that into sales.
On Tuesday, the International Air Transport Association revealed that airlines have extended their competition agreement with CFM International — the GE Aerospace and Safran joint venture — through February 2033. Airlines have flagged issues with parts shortages and repair shops running full tilt. IATA head Willie Walsh slammed manufacturers’ aftermarket tactics for “limiting competition” and pushing costs higher. Still, CFM President Gael Meheust said the company stays committed to a competitive aftermarket despite ongoing supply-chain hurdles. 1
GE Aerospace is set to release its Q4 2025 earnings on Thursday, January 22, with a webcast scheduled from 7:30 a.m. to 8:20 a.m. EST, according to the company’s investor relations calendar. 2
The Zacks consensus forecast pins fourth-quarter revenue at $11.26 billion, up 14% from a year ago, with earnings per share climbing 7.6% to $1.42. Commercial engines and services should pull in about $9.09 billion, while defense and propulsion technologies are expected to contribute roughly $2.73 billion. However, supply-chain disruptions and labor shortages could pose challenges this quarter. 3
Traders are tuning out the quarter’s beat-or-miss headlines, focusing instead on the 2026 forecast: engine deliveries, repair turnaround, and whether service prices hold steady. The sector refers to parts and maintenance for engines already running as “aftermarket,” a field that tends to offer steadier revenue than new equipment sales.
Those bottlenecks that push repair demand higher can also slow down jobs and hike costs, especially when parts stay scarce or skilled workers are in short supply. Any hint that the squeeze is worsening can quickly hit margin forecasts and free cash flow estimates.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said Wednesday the agency isn’t the “roadblock” delaying certification for Boeing’s MAX 7 and MAX 10. He did admit, however, that Boeing has faced hurdles with the 777X approval process. 4
Timelines matter a lot for engine makers since they determine when planes start flying and later undergo major maintenance. CFM’s engines power all Boeing 737s and directly compete with RTX’s Pratt & Whitney on Airbus’s A320 models. So, any shift in production or repair capacity sends ripples across the entire industry.
GE shares hit a critical point Thursday with the upcoming earnings report and management’s commentary. Investors are zeroing in on 2026 demand projections, progress on supply-chain fixes, and how GE plans to tackle maintenance capacity constraints during the year.
